LTE: Does the encoding steps for PLMN vary in case of two and three digits MNC at eNodeB ?

Question

This is the format, I know PLMN is encoded.

Is there any change in the above format for three digits MNC ?

Answer 1

I have always seen the same encoding steps in case of two and three digits MNC. I checked with my colleagues as well. If you are getting different encoding results then probably this would a bug in code at eNodeB. Let's others to respond on this query but I am 100% confident on my answer.

Comments

Thanks Harshita to spend some time to my query. Ganesh answer is correct, PLMN is encoded differently at NAS and S1-AP layers in case of 3 digits MNC. For reference, please go through the 36.413, section 9.2.3.8 which tells about encoding format of PLMN at S1-AP layer. PLMN enconding at the NAS layer anyway captured at 24.301.

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Thanks Vimal to correct me and sharing references. I'll go through those references and get back to you if I have any doubt or need more clarity.

Answer 2

In case of 2 digits MNC, there is no difference in NAS and S1-AP PLMN encoding. But in case of three digits MNC, NAS and S1-AP results differently. For more details on PLMN encoding, refer NAS and S1-AP specifications.

Comments

Thanks Ganesh for your valuable answer.